ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic have reached a verbal agreement with shooting guard Mickael Pietrus and expect to sign him to a multi-year contract today, general manager Otis Smith confirmed to FLORIDA TODAY.
Pietrus, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound shooting guard, is expected to earn almost all of the Mid-Level Exception, starting at 5.2 million next season. Pietrus, a native of Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France, played all five of his NBA seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
The signing of Pietrus ends the Magic’s chase of free-agent shooting guard Corey Maggette and could end their chances of retaining combo guard Keyon Dooling.
Pietrus is especially appealing to the Magic because of his ability to defend. He is a strong defender with a long wingspan, traits that appealed to Smith. Smith, who used to work with the Golden State Warriors, is quite familiar with Pietrus’ toughness and defensive grit.
Smith said the Magic needed to upgrade their shooting guard position in order to make a dramatic improvement next season. He is expected to be the opening day starter at shooting guard.
"In the Eastern Conference you had better be able to defend that position. We think he can really help us do that. And he can shoot the 3.’’
The signing also means that last season’s starting shooting guard, Maurice Evans, likely won’t return.
Pietrus fell out of favor in Golden State last season under coach Don Nelson, averaging 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds. He shot 44 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from the 3-point line. He’s averaged 8.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in five NBA seasons.
Well one thing we know is, Maggette is certainly not going to Orlando. He might end up in San Antonio afterall.
As far as this signing, I think its so so in my book. I don't like Pietrus' game. He's too overhyper and not steady enough IMO to hold down a starting spot for long. He makes alot of mistakes from not taking his time and thinking things through....
In short, he's overrated.
Pietrus, a 6-foot-6, 200-pound shooting guard, is expected to earn almost all of the Mid-Level Exception, starting at 5.2 million next season. Pietrus, a native of Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, France, played all five of his NBA seasons with the Golden State Warriors.
The signing of Pietrus ends the Magic’s chase of free-agent shooting guard Corey Maggette and could end their chances of retaining combo guard Keyon Dooling.
Pietrus is especially appealing to the Magic because of his ability to defend. He is a strong defender with a long wingspan, traits that appealed to Smith. Smith, who used to work with the Golden State Warriors, is quite familiar with Pietrus’ toughness and defensive grit.
Smith said the Magic needed to upgrade their shooting guard position in order to make a dramatic improvement next season. He is expected to be the opening day starter at shooting guard.
"In the Eastern Conference you had better be able to defend that position. We think he can really help us do that. And he can shoot the 3.’’
The signing also means that last season’s starting shooting guard, Maurice Evans, likely won’t return.
Pietrus fell out of favor in Golden State last season under coach Don Nelson, averaging 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds. He shot 44 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from the 3-point line. He’s averaged 8.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in five NBA seasons.
Well one thing we know is, Maggette is certainly not going to Orlando. He might end up in San Antonio afterall.
As far as this signing, I think its so so in my book. I don't like Pietrus' game. He's too overhyper and not steady enough IMO to hold down a starting spot for long. He makes alot of mistakes from not taking his time and thinking things through....
In short, he's overrated.
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